S 845 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Establishes the "Maternal Health, Dignity and Consent act"

Summary

Prohibits drug, cannabis or alcohol testing of pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns unless the individual consents and it is within the scope of medical care, or the testing is necessary for a medical emergency.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2026

Senate Passage

Jun 2026

Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Jun 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S845 → S845A · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to remove protections against 'alcohol screening' (questionnaires) and 'alcohol testing', narrowing the law to only prohibit drug and cannabis testing. Additionally, a new emergency exception was added allowing testing without consent if immediate medical attention is required, and a new clause was added stating that providers cannot refuse treatment based on a patient's refusal to be tested.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing protections against alcohol-related activities (testing and screening) that were previously included, while retaining protections against drug and cannabis testing.

SCOPE

Removed prohibitions on alcohol testing and alcohol screening (questionnaires) for pregnant or postpartum individuals and newborns.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new provision allowing drug and cannabis testing without consent during medical emergencies to prevent delay in life-saving treatment.

Added a specific clause stating that healthcare providers cannot refuse treatment to a patient or newborn if they refuse to submit to drug or cannabis testing.

Updated the required consent form language to include warnings about potential legal consequences and the need to consult legal counsel.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 4, 2026

How they voted

38–22

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 63

Jun 4, 2026

D Democratic41

35 Yea 3 Nay 3

85% Yea

R Republican22

3 Yea 19 Nay

86% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 4, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO CODES

lower

Jun 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED SENATE

upper

Jun 4, 2026

Committee

COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES

upper

May 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

PRINT NUMBER 845A

upper

May 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

upper

May 13, 2026

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO WOMEN'S ISSUES

upper

Jun 13, 2025

Committee

COMMITTED TO RULES

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Committee

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO HEALTH

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO WOMEN'S ISSUES

upper

1 primary · 24 co-sponsors